Highly coveted Pennsylvania forward commits to Rebels
Derrick Jones is joining Jalen Poyser in a UNLV basketball recruiting class that suddenly shapes up as a formidable one on a national level for 2015.
And adding Bishop Gorman High School standout Stephen Zimmerman remains a possibility for the Rebels.
Jones, a 6-foot-6-inch forward from Archbishop Carroll High in Radnor, Pa., announced his commitment to UNLV on Thursday. He also considered Connecticut, Kansas and Kentucky.
Jones is ranked the No. 22 prospect in his class by ESPN and No. 42 by Rivals.com. Poyser, a 6-4 point guard who is considered the No. 1 prospect in Canada, signed a letter of intent this week.
“We love what UNLV is doing, and it’s a good fit,” said Mark Poyser, Jalen’s dad. “UNLV needs him, not just wants him, and he loves the coach. Jalen is a lockdown defender. He handles the ball well, and he scores the ball very well, too.”
Poyser and Jones made official visits to UNLV on Oct. 16. Jones’ decision, which came as a surprise, was announced on ESPNU.
Zimmerman, a 7-footer also being courted by Kansas, Kentucky and UCLA, is making an official visit this weekend and will attend the Rebels’ games today and Sunday. Rivals ranks Zimmerman the No. 10 prospect in the senior class.
The early signing period opened this week, but Zimmerman plans to announce his college decision in the spring.
Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247.
